Genessee Valley Ultra is a 2.5 mile trail loop at Genessee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in Parkton, MD. Runners have 24, 12, or 6 hours to complete as many loops as possible. Awards will be presented to the overall winner in each category. This will be a chip timed event. …
MORE
Genessee Valley Ultra is a 2.5 mile trail loop at Genessee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in Parkton, MD. Runners have 24, 12, or 6 hours to complete as many loops as possible. Awards will be presented to the overall winner in each category. This will be a chip timed event. In the event of a tie for number of loops overall time will be used to determine the winner.
Runners will be required to begin carrying/running with a headlamp starting one hour before sunset.
Primary race nutrition is the responsibility of the runner. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the event.
Course
This will be a 2.5 mile loop course consisting of farm roads, grass fields, and a small amount of double track.
The course is on private property. Running the course before race day is not allowed. The course will be open Friday afternoon/night for preview.
This is a chip timed event.
Start and Finish will be in the same spot, with an “exit” just before the timing mats for runners to refuel as needed. This exit will also be where relay teams will exchange their bibs before beginning another loop. Solo racers will have the option to set up an aid table along the course prior to the finish line and course exit. These tables may be used to stage items needed during the race. These tables must be accessed from the course and runners may not leave the course except through the designated “exit.”
Voluteers will be stationed at the exit to help us keep track of who is on course. If you plan on returning to your camp we ask that you use the exit to help us keep track of runners.If you decide to end your run early, please turn in your bib number to this volunteer or the timing crew.
Uncompleted laps by the cutoff time are not counted in overall time/mileage. Final time will be based on last timed checkpoint.
Pacers
Pacers will be allowed ONLY for individual runners, teams may NOT use pacers. It is your responsibility to recruit a pacer if desired. Pacers need to register via the link below so that we have waivers on file and a record of who will potentially be on course. Pacers will not be allowed on course until 6:30PM. Only one pacer may accompany a runner at a time. Pacers must wear a yellow jersey, which will be issued at athlete check in, and announce themselves to the timers as they come down the finish chute. A non-marked or unannounced runner in the finish chute can result in disqualification for the registered runner/team. Pacers may not carry any aid for their runner, they may only carry what they need. Pacers will also need to be carrying a source of light during the required time frame. Pacers will not receive finisher medals or shirts.
LESS
Under promised, but over delivered
For some reason, I had the completely wrong idea of what this race was going to be. I thought it was going to be a flat course around a school … MORE
For some reason, I had the completely wrong idea of what this race was going to be. I thought it was going to be a flat course around a school yard in town. I couldn’t have been more wrong, but it was actually a pleasant surprise. The course was out in the country, with horses across the road from the race venue, and a variety of terrain from well manicured meadows to steep, rocky, trails. The race started out in an upper meadow just above a steep, tree-covered ravine that dropped down to a series of small reservoirs. After meandering around one side of a couple of reservoir ponds, the course meandered back up the side of the ravine and then circumnavigated the upper meadows. According to my GPS watch, there was a little over 4,090 feet total elevation gain over the 32 miles that I completed. It looked pretty intimidating to this undertrained runner, but the hills weren’t that long and were somewhat manageable. Most of the rocks on the trail along the sides of the ravine were embedded in the trail and didn’t pose much of a tripping hazard. There was one memorable steep downhill that had some small, loose rocks, but it was fairly short. It turned out to be a cool weekend this year and there was some wind along the top of the meadow. There was a nice building with a wood stove that the organizers kept burning at all hours, and the main aid station was actually pretty good with hot food brought in on a fairly regular basis. The finisher award was a made out of a thin section of a branch of wood, but was nicely done. The long sleeve shirts they gave out this year were fairly thin, and oddly had the race logo on the back instead of the front. I don’t know if that was a mistake or if it was made that way intentionally. Overall, the race was a pleasant surprised, and I can’t think of anything that could have been added to make the race better. Kudos to the race director and volunteers that made it a fun weekend for me.